| Author | Message | ||
     Court |
No bashing required. Buell buys (as do all the manufacturers) about one of everything. The Multi-Strada is likely the single Ducati that one could make a "practical need" case for in the United States. It's a very capable bike, and a purely street oriented "utility bike". Don't be fooled into beleiving Ducati doesn't buy "competitive analysis" machines as well. You, I'm sure, know that I have had fairly close ties with the good folks at Ducati. Good enough to have been invited to most their press events and good enough to have been asked to attend the unveiling of the Paul Smart model. One of my good friends in the industry, Massimo Andreoletti, was the technical advisor when "Motociclismo tells the story of Ducati" was written. He and I developed a friendship at the secret press intro of the Buell White Lightning in 1998. I was honored when he asked me to speak on Ducati history at the first "Monster Bash". My point is, I have no axe to grind with Ducati. Let's presume for a moment that you are absolutely positively right. Buell got wind that Ducati was coming out with the HyperMotard. Isn't it amazing that Buell was able to accomplish all the development (remember that the new frame and all the changes require well over a year of government certification), perform extreme "real world" test protocols (thanks Jon!) and development a line of accessories that Ducati has yet to come up with for the Multistrada. By the way, that's kind of a guess since the Ducati accessory site has been "unavailable" for some time and Ducati NA has closed the "Flagship USA Factory Store" here in New York City. Let's dial it up a notch, becuase there's a chance you may be right. What do you, and I realize this is simply a guess, think the probability that this bike will ever acutlly be4 sold is? 15%, 55%, 89%? I think it could be high. Looking closely, it's basically nothing more than a Multistrada wearing outfitted in L. L. Bean camping garb. Don't get me wrong, as I said before I am a sucker for the color and the trellis frame, I really like the bike. But, my bet is that with the Buell intro of the Ulyssess in Italy, this MAY have been a bit of a knee jerk "run it up the flag pole" concept. My sneakin' suspicion is that it'll join the ranks of the MT-01 and the NAS in the "pedestal mounted cocktail party centerpiece" bikes. By the way, Buell bought far less Ducati's last year than in previous years and guess who (Hint: they hit the American scene with the Super Cub) bought lots of Buells? Buell bought more BMW's last year than in prior years. Anyway....just my personal thoughts. | ||
| Glitch |
I looks to me to be a bike that could be a lot easier to build and market than the MT-01 or the NAS. Suzuki has been selling their Super Moto for about a year now with some success. The mountains here in North Georgia are full of Super Moto type (factory built, and garage built) these days, they are starting to out number the Super Street bikes. I think what's happening is people are starting to buy bikes that are more suited to where they like to ride, instead of the bike that runs the highest HP numbers. If you hang out on HWY60 where it starts to get really crooked, you can see GSXRs, R1s, and the like get spanked regularly by the Super Motos with half the displacement. Any way...that's why *I* think this bike may just make it, at least in my neck of the woods. | ||
| Cowtown |
I like the Handguards/Mirrors/Turn Signals. Wonder if they can be mounted to a Uly or an S. | ||
| Anonymous |
Good looking bike, lots of nice touches. Too bad it's lacking either: 1) an airbox or 2) a gas tank | ||
| Rubberdown |
Good looking bike, lots of nice touches. Too bad it's lacking either: 1) an airbox or 2) a gas tank BLAAHAHAHAHAHAHA  | ||
| Spike |
Anonymous rocks!  I do have to admit, with the Multistrada, the S2R 1000, the new STs, and now the "hypermotard" concept, I'm really starting to like the direction in which Ducati is heading. I'm glad they've decided to keep working with the old air-cooled two-valve motor rather than just stuffing a detuned Testerossattettasiniwhatever (vitameatavegamin!) in the existing bikes. If I were in the market for a new bike right now (I'm not) Ducati would definitely be near the top of my list. | ||
| Whodom |
As cool as it looks, that Duc definitely appears to be the antithesis of "mass centralization". It looks like they tried to spread stuff out as much as possible. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I like it. Buell will always win out in one respect. Dealer infrastructure. Duc dealerships are a bit spread out. | ||
| Stealthxb |
Anonymous... Please make me one!  | ||
| Thepup |
Court,I just think that this bike is more in competition with Aprilia and the KTM.What on the Duc Motard reminds one of the Uly. | ||
| Ducxl |
Looks nice...But if i'm going to fiddle/w Desmodromics i won't waste my time with an air cooled model.I'd just as soon save my aggrivation and buy a Buell and have easy access to parts. Now i'm waiting for the 999 Monster...BTW i own a 996 for fiddling/w Desmodromics...X1+XB12r | ||
| Ducxl |
Also...Erik needs a lesson in sourcing TOP shelf components like Ohlins/Brembo instead of Showa/Nissin/China crap | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I heard they were experimenting with fuel in frame, however, 13.2 miles was all they could muster per tankful. Unacceptable by any standards. However, the Italian engineers responsible, said "Yays but looka how pretty she ees!!!" | ||
| Outrider |
I like the concept and styling of the Ducati Hyper Motard and freely admit that it is more in tune with my personal preferences. However, after reading this thread I am a little confused as it does not resemble any Stock Buell I have ever seen or read about. Not to mention, I don't see where it competes with Buell in any way, shape or form as Buell decided not to go this route with their new models for whatever reasons. Well, at least not for the moment. No foul ball here unless Buell and/or HDI wants to lay claim to inventing anything and everything that has two wheels and two cylinders. Lots of genius at work at Buell, but I still don't see this proposed Duc as any competition to anything Buell has sold in stock form to date. Additionally, I prefer early announcements of proposed new models. I don't mind waiting a few years for availability. Heck, I can enjoy what I have in the interim and save up for the new dream. Then, Yamaha made a major whoops with the MT-01. The prototype was to die for. Yet the production model barely resembles the prototype and turned out to be a real porker. All this makes a guy wonder what is in the Buell Skunk Works and what they will bring to market in the future. Oh well, at least the other guys give us a peak and give us something to dream (read: not argue) about. | ||
| M2nc |
Sorry Guys, but the the only copy reference I intended was the braking system. In this case you are farting in the wind if you disagree here. They are even using the same terminology as Buell. Since Buell was the first and only in with a braking system like this, yeah, they ripped it off. Patent laws are the only reason you see any difference at all. The rest of the bike is totally different than a Buell, the "Johnnie-Come-Lately" comment was meant more for this Duc's, BMW - KTM - Etc. inspiration. I do like the bike but its not for me. A monster, 749R or if I really Dream big, 999R, could be stable mates with the Buells. Since I do not have that kind of spare change lying around, the Uly & M2 will do me fine. | ||
| Xb12rene |
The brakes calibers are "normal" radial mounted, just like on most race-replicas. The difference is that the Duc only has a single disk setup. Buell's ZTL is a totally different system. I don't see any copying, maybe only from the 999. I believe the Hypermotard was built to compete in the new 1000cc motard class. In this class are already the KTM SuperMono and SuperDuke and the BMW HP1, and much more to come. Rene | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
Doesn't remind me of the stock Ulysses at all. Totally different bike concept for a totally different purpose. Maybe it's a l'il bit like Trojan's version. I'd definitely agree that Ducati is eyeing the Super-Moto street bike class that is about to be the "Next Big Thing", IMHO. I believe that THIS is the target they're aiming for:  along with the KTM (if it ever really materializes!  ),et al. According to the Aprilia race guys, this model is slated to be released in a street-legal version in the U.S in 2007 (if Aprilia still exists in 2007, that is... ) Cool tires:  In any case, they're all very cool bikes and I for one am glad that some manufacturers, like Buell, are willing to take a chance on truly cutting-edge designs, 'cause they make my world a more interesting place!  HellBuelly J "All truth (about Buells) passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Secondly, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." --Arthur SchopenBuelly | ||
| Glitch |
Cool tires: Rain tires. | ||
| Grndskpr |
1) an airbox In a pic or 2 you can see a snorkel coming out of the carb, and in reality(if you take a fresh look) it dosent appear that the XB bikes have an air cleaner for those who dont have much or limited info about the bikes. 2) a gas tank In some of the other photos avaliable, you can see a gas cap, and having owned a Ducati or 2, there masterfull at jamming a bunch of stuff under said tank, sometimes to there demise(lots o heat) as a matter of reference, under the tank of an 00 monster there was a voltage reg, air box, fuses, a bunch of wires a computer(ecm) and a few items that were unknown(and i was afraid to touch them) How? well the front of the tank is rather small, leading to a large rear of the tank, which was where the fuel was stored, along with the fuel pump, again there extremely good at keeping the lines of the bike clean and neat I do however question if this bike was a "knee jerk" based on the BUell Uly or the KTM, i can see kinda how it would or might be considered competition for the Buell, but i think a person looking at this bike would really be looking more toward the KTM/ DRZ SM. Especially if this bike comes with no bags. Now if you said city X, that might be more along the lines, those bikes share some things that i think put them closer to the same person, or customer Consider that it takes a little while to design a bike, my guess would point toward the city x, and considering Ducati was a bit busy last year with other things, i can see how it would have taken this long to get a running protype avaliable for net viewing Again, JMHO R | ||
| Bomber |
given the time required to bring a new product to market, or a concept on the CAD screeen and into metal, I'd be surprised if this scoot was a knee jerk reaction to the Uly -- could be one of the many, many examples of bright people addressing the same issue and coming up with similar solutions | ||
| Court |
Consider that it takes a little while to design a bike That's why I think, as the market began to move, this thing was quickly conjured up to show "we are a player". Anybody seen any indication of when the thing is intended to be avaialable for folks to walk in, write checks and buy? | ||
| Grndskpr |
Anybody seen any indication of when the thing is intended to be avaialable for folks to walk in, write checks and buy? My understanding is that its been posted up, to guage if there is enuff interest to build it This for all intents and purposes could be a very very good photoshop, i however am no where near good enuff to be sure There is a spot on the web site asking for opinions, and there has been talk of an 07 release But who knows Again conjecture and guesses, cool bike , cool concept and from a company who has done unexpected things in the past leads me to belive that there is at least an outside chance, but until it actually becomes a bike i wouldnt wait example pulled from another site: According to a thread on Speedzilla, the DNA President officially doesn't know if they are going to build it, but he hinted to Jason from Section8Superbikes that in a week or so there might be a release date. Again I think it looks cool, but as i have experienced in the past, for good or bad, until i at least sit on it, i can not nor will not express like or dislike To soon, but it looks like fun, but as a rule most bikes look like fun, actually i dont think theres a bike out there that dosent at least look like it would deliver some level of fun R | ||
| Glitch |
Remember the Wide World of Sports and the Superbikers?   It's nice to see a come back. | ||
| Whodom |
The new Ducati was shown at the Milan Motorcycle Show this week. This site has pretty good coverage with some cool photos of the new Duc and other bikes. http://www.raptorsandrockets.com/news.html No mention of any Buell presence in Milan. I sort of figured they'd be pushing the Uly big-time in Europe. | ||
| Court |
>>>>I sort of figured they'd be pushing the Uly big-time in Europe. Buell threw a spectacular Ulysses (as well as the rest of the range) intro on the Italian Island of Sardinia recently. It was a huge success. Buells ARE Europe. | ||
| Outrider |
In reference to when the Duc will be in production, I have a feeling it will be a ways off as they are still trying to define the bike. Well, at least that is the impression I got when I took the Opinion Survey at the Ducati website that Whodom originally posted. If you haven't already, take the survey. I know you will find the questions quite interesting as it is quite specific. Plus, you will have an opportunity to add your own comments. http://www.ducati.com/docs_eng/model06/hypermotard/flash051115/home.html Incidentally, I still stand on my original position from a few years back and that is quite simply, my X1 stays in my stable until something better comes along to replace it. So far, nothing has floated my boat enough to make a move. However, if this Duc materializes close to the prototype, it may cause me to reconsider. Still wish we had some insight into what new things Buell will offer down the road as it may cause me and others like me to wait it out. KTM, Yamaha, Triumph and now Ducati have caught my interest with their concepts. Yamaha and Triumph have let me down between concept and production but at least I knew where they were headed somewhat. Since I tend to keep my bikes longer than my wives, it sure would be nice to have a glimpse of what may be coming from Buell's Skunk Works. Would hate to buy a Duc only to find out that Buell intro's a similar product a year later. The only thing we know right now is that HDI is considering marketing itty bitty dirt bikes from China or some other weird place and had not figured out whether to market them under the Harley or Buell logo at the time the survey was published. An excellent idea to pick up the brand loyalty of the kids at an early age. Great for HDI and I am all for it, but of no interest to me. One thing I would like to share comes from a personal conversation I was having with Bomber. Quite simply he reminded me of the good things about owning a Buell in America and they have to do with the availability and affordability of parts and service in comparison to the imported products regardless of their country of origin. This reminded me of my own words from the past and provided me with the willingness to wait a tad longer to see what Buell brings to market. Still at this age, I can't wait forever. Especially since the current wife appears to be a keeper. | ||
| Choptop |
amazing... of course Ducati copied Buell ... pulllease... and how will the Jap manufacturers "respond"... uh.... they did... YEARS ago... see the XL650, the KLR650, XT, DR.... amazing... absolutely amazing. | ||
| Xlcr |
At last, the official Japanese cheering section has arrived!! We can all rest easy now.  | ||
| Smitty |
sure would be nice to have a glimpse of what may be coming from Buell's Skunk Works. Would hate to buy a Duc only to find out that Buell intro's a similar product a year later. That happened to me .My friend had to sell off his bikes and I bought his Ducati. I rode the XB12s and the Monster back to back and for me the S4 was more comfortable ( im a fat old guy)4 months later the Uly came out and I wish that I would have waited. Oh and on the lack of an obvious fueltank the Multistrada has a fuel tank from the front to the rear of the bike under the seat to keep the lines of the bike nice. They may have done the same here. Tim | ||
| Grndskpr |
the official Japanese cheering section has arrived Austrian, really if you think about it, the Duke was the first, 17" wheel supermoto production bike, just not much power(they seem to have fixed that however) R |
